OUT OF THIN AIR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does out of thin air mean? 

• OUT OF THIN AIR (adverb)
  The adverb OUT OF THIN AIR has 1 sense:

1. without warning

  Familiarity information: OUT OF THIN AIR used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OUT OF THIN AIR (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without warning

Synonyms:

from nowhere; out of nothing; out of thin air

Context example:

your cousin arrived out of thin air

 Context examples 

The puzzling appearance of an ice cloud seemingly out of thin air has prompted NASA scientists to suggest that a different process than previously thought — possibly similar to one seen over Earth's poles — could be forming clouds on Saturn's moon Titan.

(Scientists Find 'Impossible' Cloud on Titan, NASA)